;S!S!!i?i  I 


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GIFT   OF 


THOUGHTS 

by 

Mrs.  E.  W.  Crosby 


~w 


TO 
MY  COMPANION 


Copyright  1919 

by 
Mrs.  E.  W.  Crosby 


GOD'S  POEMS 


O,  thou  Great  Poet! 

Before  thy   Master  Mind 

We  bow  in  adoration. 

Thy  poems  live! 

Creations  wrought  by  thee 

Unfold  great  truths 

That  oft  have  failed  discernment. 

Yon  setting  sun 

Throws  deep,  rich  shadows  o'er 

Thy  snow-capped  peaks  resplendent, 

Transforming  them 

To  burnished,  rose-hued  crests, 

Thy   handiwork 

Revealing  strength  omnipotent! 

Yet,    blossoming,   frail, 

Beneath  those  tow'ring  heights, 

We  find  in  deep  seclusion, 

Thy  flowerlets 

All  kissed  by  morning  dew, 

Their  fragile  bloom 

Exhaling  mild  aroma  sweet. 

O,   thou   kind   Friend! 

With  tenderness  unveiled 

Through  exquisite  creation! 

Our  purged   souls, 

In  true  nobility, 

Give  birth  to  praise 

Conceived  while  bowing  at  thy  feet! 


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OUR  TOMORROW 


Sometimes   I  dream,  Life's  dreams   come  true, 

Of  Tomorrow  and  all  the  things  we'll  do, 

For  our  Yesterdays  will  come  again 

Without  the  burdens,  without  the  pain; 

All   sighs,  all  tears  we  will  forget 

Tomorrow  where  there's  no  regret. 

As  the  rippling  brooklet  speeds  along^ 

We  hear  it  sing  the  old,  old  song 

Of  how  men  come  and  how  they  go, 

Yet  its  sparkling  waters  forever  flow. 

So  will  our  Tomorrow  surely  be, 

As  endless  e'er  as  Eternity. 

We  pass  through  this  world,  but  not  alone, 

A  guiding  hand  is  holding  our  own, 

And  though  friends  meet  as  ships  in  the  night, 

A  fleeting  glance,  then  out  of  sight, 

A  wondrous  ship  on  the  Celestial  Sea 

With  great  white  wings  to  the  breeze  set  free, 

Will  carry  us  safe  to  a  golden  shore 

Where  partings  will  cease  forever  more. 

So  I  sometimes  sigh  and  sometimes  smile 

As  I  think  with  joy  of  each  golden  while 

Of  Tomorrow  and  all  the  things  we'll  do 

When  we  reach  the  realm  where  dreams  come  true. 


RESPONSE  TO  "OUR  YESTERDAYS"  BY  A  FRIEND 


HOME  AND  CHILDREN 


The  tender  bloom  of  flowerlets 
That  oft  the  world  in  haste  forgets, 
God  fain  would  shield  from  trampling  feet, 
Preserving   purity   complete. 

So  He  in  all  wise  providence, 
E'er   mindful   of   frail   innocence, 
Plants  in  their  midst  a  stately  tree, 
Whose   arms   stretch   forth   protectingly. 

A  ray  of  sunlight  filters  through 
The  tree  that  points  to  Heaven's  blue, 
And  scatters  o'er  the  mossy  ground, 
Where  flowerlets  in  joy  abound. 

With  fragrance  sweet  like  incense  borne, 
The  dainty  blossoms  greet  the  morn; 
By  cooling  stream^,  in  shaded   dell, 
God's   flowerlets   are  guarded   well. 


CHARACTER 


O,  what's  in  a  name 
That  merely  wins  Fame? 
'Tis  better  to  form  as  we  go, 
Strong  character  best, 
Standing  Life's  greatest  test, 
For  out  of  it  greatness  will  grow. 

The  good  being  done, 

As  the  great  race  is  run, 

Will  linger  in  mem'ries  of  all; 

While   days  are  forgot, 

Real  service  is  not, 

Though  seeming  as  trivial  and  small. 

Keep  ever  in  mind, 

Real  greatness  to  find, 

Means  doing  our  best  every  day, 

Not  waiting  in  dreams 

For  something  that   seems 

To  be  a  more  excellent  way 


A  FRIEND 


A  Friend  to  love  you  dearly, 

A  Friend  to  clasp  your  hand, 

Despite  the  seeming  failures, 

A  Friend  to  understand, 

Means  more  than  heir  to  kingdoms, 

Means  more  than  wealth  or  fame; 

You'll  find  that  life's  worth  living 

With  one  true  friend  to  name. 

Count  not  your  life  a  failure, 

If  when  you  reach  the  end 

Of  Life's  great  Path,  long  trodden, 

You've  proved  yourself  a  Friend. 


LOVE 


We   thank  thee  not,  our  Father, 
For  wealth  and  flowery   ease, 
For  rainment,  food  and  shelter, 
"Tis  not  for  one  of  these. 

We  thank  thee  not,  our  Father, 
For  sparing  us  the  care 
That  makes  one  stoop  a  little 
And  oft  is  hard  to  bear. 

But  we  would  thank  thee,  Father, 
For  knowing  how  to  love, 
For  hearts  that  are  forgiving, 
And   tuned  with   that   above. 

For  what  is  life,  our  Father, 
With   every   worldly   gift, 
If  Love  within  is  failing 
The  tired  world  to  lift? 


LIFE 


What  is  Life?  O,  solemn  thought, 

That  stirs  through  heart  and  mind; 

Can  none  save  God  explain  it  all? 
Can  none  an  answer  find? 

What  is  Life?     Some  say  'tis  Joy, 
'Tis  all  a  glad  sweet  song; 

If   sorrow   comes — well,   what   of   that? 
The  clouds  will  flee  ere  long. 

What  is  Life?    To  some  it  means 
Long   days   of   toil   and   care; 

They  weary  of  the  heavy  load 
That  is  so  hard  to  bear. 

What  is  Life?     Tis  not  a  Farce, 
'Tis  not  all  Peace,  all  Strife, 

'Tis  just  a   preparation 
For  a  higher,  better  Life. 

What  is  Life?     A  time  for  us 
Who    love   our  God   above, 

To  give  the  weary  comfort, 
To  scatter  seeds  of  Love. 

What  is  Life?  A  privilege, 
An  Honor  from  God's  hand; 

A  time  to  reach  the  highest 
That  is  at  our  command. 

What  is  Life?  a  Training  School 

For  soldiers   of  the   King; 
Though  discipline  be  firm,  severe, 

The   end   will   victory   bring. 


EASTER 


The  blessed  Easter  time  is  here! 
It  brings  to  us  good  will  and  cheer. 
Our  hearts  rebound  with  love  and  grace, 
Our  souls  reflect  His  shining  face! 

The  songs  of  birds  are  tune  with  Love, 
The  flowers  speak  of  Him  above, 
The  trees,  the  winds,  the  sunshine  rare, 
Are  shaping  thankful  words  of  prayer. 

Does  not  the  Spring  Christ's  life  confess. 
And  don  her  glorious  festal  dress? 
Does  not  the  earth  resplendent  shine, 
And  prove  the  risen  Lord  divine? 

The  glad  world  lays  aside  her  cares, 
Forgets   the   pain,   the   sinful    snares, 
And  joins  the  Angel   Chorus   fair, 
Whose    Hallelujahs    fill    the    air! 

O,  Christ,  our  Lord,  we  bow  to  thee, 
In  greatest  love  and  humility; 
Our  hearts  and  lives  are  wholly  thine, 
This   wondrous  day,  this  Easter  time! 


SAN  JOAQUIN 


In  the  heart  of  sunny,  golden  California, 
Decked  in  garb  of  royal  splendor,  like  a  Queen, 
By  the  gleaming  peaks  of  proud  Sierra  sheltered; 
Is  the  verdant,  fertile  valley,  San  Joaquin. 

Nature,  lavishing  her  wealth  of  dainty  poppies, 
Sets  aflame  the  sloping  hills  with  radiant  glow, 
While  the  waxen,  lily  bloom  of  golden  orange 
Wafts  its  fragrance  o'er  the  smiling  vale  below. 

Fleeting  by  are  days  of  Spring  and  soon  the  glorious, 
Summer  months  their  ripened  harvest  will  display, 
Blushing  fruits  and  luscious  grapes  in  tempting 

clusters, 
Gleaning  flavor  from   the   sun's   enriching   ray. 

Most  prolific  is  this  land  of  milk  and  honey, 
Fairest  vale  of  our  rich,  golden  state,  I  ween, 
Hearts  are  thrilled  beholding  wondrous,  living  beauty 
Of  an  Eden's  realm,  the  Valley  San  Joaquin. 


YOSEM1TE  IN  JUNE 

No  verse,   though  like   an   oracle   inspired, 

Revealing  treasures  of  the  mind  attired 

In  words  that  ring  like  silver  bells  in  tune, 

Can  picture  the  Yosemite  in  June! 

The  soul  of  Nature,  hearing  urgent  calls, 

Yosemite  awakes!     Her  seething  falls 

Are  splashing,  dashing,  crashing  on  their  way, 

The  sunbeams  playing  tag  with  laughing  spray. 

The  base  of  Nature's  garden,  like  a  floor 

With  carpet  of  green  velvet  spreading  o'er, 

Is  strewn  with  flowers  of  such  dainty  tints, 

Perchance  the  fairies  left  their  tiny  prints; 

The  violets  with   peeping  heads  are  seen, 

While  blushing  berries  nestle  in  the  green. 

The  clear  and  sparkling  river^o^^Merced 

Is  peaceful  now;   for  miles  it's*spea 

Along  the  mountain  side  with  madd'ning  pace, 

Inviting  evil  spirits  to  the  race! 

At  early  morn,  with  eagerness  we  take 

The  winding  path  that  points  to  Mirror  Lake; 

No  ripple  there  to  mar  reflections  won 

By  shadows  of  the  glorious,  rising  sun, 

Like  mirror  cased  in  jeweled  frame  it  seems, 

Its  crystal  surface  far  surpassing  dreams! 

Although  in  verdure  woodland  scenes  abound, 

Stupendous  granite  walls  and  peaks  are  found. 

We  climb  the  steep  and  narrow  trail  that  leads 

To  Glacier  Point,  where  soul  in  rapture  feeds! 

Gigantic  in  their  height,  with  awe  we  scan 

The  monument  of  stone,  El   Capitan, 

The  great  Half  Dome  with  burnished,  golden  crest, 

While  far  beyond,  the  summit  of  Cloud's  Rest. 

Cathedral  Spires  like  giant  pillars  rise 

In  solemn  dignity  to  azure  skies; 

Three  Brothers,  linking  arms  in  sympathy, 

Are  Nature's  emblem  of  Fraternity, 

And  stalwart  like  a  guardian  through  the  years, 

The  Sentinel  in  majesty  appears. 

The  vista  in  its  grandeur  without  end 

Has  challenged  greatest  minds  to  comprehend! 

Supernal  heights  are  crowned  with  glittering  snow! 

Great  statues,  sculptured  chasms  all  aglow! 

We're  loath  to  leave  so  soon  the  wondrous  gem, 

Yosemite,  Sierra's  diadem! 


THE  ARMY  OF  THE  RED  CROSS 


Somewhere  in  Prance  the  cruel  Huns  are  advancing! 
Prussians,  whose  vision  of  God  has  been  lost, 
Crushing  the  world  with  tyranical  power; 
Eager  for  conquest,  not  counting  the  cost! 

German  Kultur  has  been  weighed  and  found  wanting. 
Broken  are  all  sacred  laws  from  above, 
Piercing  afresh  the  great  heart  of  our  Savior, 
Trailing  in  dust  the  white  banner  of  Love. 

Somewhere  in  France  our  dear  lads  are  fighting, 
Fighting  with  courage,  undaunted  and  true, 
Fighting  for  justice,  repulsing  the  Vandals, 
Fighting  for  God,  for  the  Red,  White  and  Blue. 

Somewhere  in  France  our  dear  lads  are  dying, 
Freely  their  splendid,  clean  manhood  they  give; 
Dying  in  honor  to  free  all  the  nations, 
Dying,   they  cry,   "Let  Democracy   Live." 

List  to  the  tread  of  another  great  army! 
See!    They  are  marching  so  strong  and  so  brave; 
Sacrifice,  service,  endurance,  their  armor; 
Their's  is  a  mission  to  comfort  and  save. 

Braving  cold  death  at  the  front  of  the  battle, 
Serving  as  mother,  as  sister,  as  friend, 
A  halo  their  crown,  the  Red  Cross  their  emblem, 
Angels  of  mercy,  they'll  stay  till  they  end 

Feeding,  protecting  the  hungry  and  needy, 
Healing  humanity's  suffering  and  loss, 
Serving  all  mankind  with  love  and  compassion; 
The  world's   great  redeemer,  America's   Red   Cross! 


RESPONSE  TO  COL.  McREA'S 
"IN  FLANDERS  FIELDS" 


In  Flanders  Fields,  where  poppies  grow, 
We   see  the  crosses ;  row   on  row; 
They  mark  the  place  where  brave  lads  fell, 
That  peace  on  earth  might  always   dwell. 

For  old  men's  wars  Youth  paid  the  price, 
Climbed  Calvary's  Hill  of  Sacrifice; 
Was  it  in  vain  their  blood  was  spilled 
In  Flanders  Fields? 

God  calls!    Life's  war  will  not  be  won 
Till  Love  abides  with  every  one. 
To  you  who  gave  your  all,  we  cry, 
We'll  keep  the  faith,  though  we  may  die 
Like  you  who  fell  where  poppies  grow, 
In  Flanders  Fields. 


THE  DAWN  OF  PEACE 


'Twas  night!    No  gleam  the  dreary  depths  dispelling, 
No  sound  save  endless  meanings  of  the  Sea; 
Great,     maddening     waves,     e'er     turning,     tossing, 

twisting, 
Left  prostrate  on  the  sands — Humanity. 

Exultant,  proud,  the  Prince  of  Darkness,  mounted 
On  dashing  charger,  gazed  with  rapt  delight, 
While  dripping  from  his  hands — the  blood  of  children, 
Whose  cries  aroused  Humanity  that  night! 

Humanity,  though  stunned,  arose  to  action, 
Turned  God  deaf  ears  to  her  heart-rending  cry? 
Like  burning  incense,  prayers  to  heaven  ascending, 
Though  circled  by  dark  clouds,  had  touched  the  sky. 

From  out  the  deep  a  ray  of  light  came  stealing! 
With  bated  breath  the  world  percleved  its  glow; 
The  arch  destroyer's  steed  had  fled  in  terror, 
A  great  Shakinah  led  against  the  foe. 

'Tis  Dawn!    Our  God's  in  His  celestial  dwelling, 
Through  Him  may  burning  conflicts  ever  cease, 
Redeeming   Life   and   Love's   great  task   renewing — 
No  King  shall  rule  save  Christ,  the  Prince  of  Peace. 


AUTUMN 


I  see  the  soft  leaves  gently  falling 

Like  butterfly  wings  to  the  ground, 

They  tell  us  that  Summer  is  dying, 

And  form  for  her  rest  a  rich  mound. 

I  feel  the  cool  breezes  a  stirring, 

A  vision  of  Winter  appears, 
When  birds   and  the  flowers  are  sleeping 

And  Heaven  bathes  earth  with  her  tears. 

For  a  moment  my  heart  becomes  saddened 
O'er   changes   that  Autumn  has   wrought, 

But  God  through  it  all  is  still  smiling, 
And  whispers  my  fears  are  for  nought. 

Though  Springtime  and  Summer  have  vanished, 
Though  clouds   hide  the  sun's  brightest  ray, 

We  must  not  give  up  in  repining, 

The  birds  have  not  left  us  for  aye. 

For  Nature's  great  heart  is  still  throbbing, 
She  drinks  of  God's  nectar  above; 

Great  Winter  and  Death  are  in  seeming, 
She'll  soon  rise  with  fulness  of  love. 

O,  how  we'll  rejoice  in  the  Springtime, 
When  the  little  brown  robins  return! 

Our  souls  shall  expand  like  the  rosebuds, 
The  meaning  of  Life  we  shall  learn. 


CHRISTMAS 


The  Magi  of  the  long  ago, 

Who  journeyed  from  afar, 
To   find   the   King   of   Bethlehem, 

Were  guided  by  a  star. 
Abiding  in  the  fields  at  night, 

The  lowly  shepherds  near, 
Were  sore  afraid  when  shone  the  light, 

A  voice  said,  "Do  not  fear!" 
And  as  the  babe  in  swaddling  clothes, 

Wrapped,  in  the  manger  lay, 
The  angels  and  the  multitude 

Of  heaven  did  homage   pay 
Great  treasures  brought  the  learned  men, 

Rare,    costly    gifts    they    were, 
Presenting  to  the  manger  babe 

Gold,   frankincense   and   myrrh. 
The  shepherds  on  the  lonely  hills 

Rich  off'rings  could  not  bring, 
But  Love  was  gold,  Praise  incense  sweet, 

Their  best  they  gave  the  King. 
Time  makes  its  change,  the  ages  roll, 

The  months  and  years  go  by. 
And  we  forget  to  watch  "Hi*-  O'j  h-t" 

Still   shining  in  the   sky. 
The  nations  strive  in  deadly   war, 

The  song  once  heard  by  men 
Of  "Peace  on  Earth,"  though  still  it  rings, 

Is  drowned  and  lost  to  them. 
Two  thousand  years  ago,  when  God 

The   Flag  of  Truce  unfurled, 
He  gave  it  as  a  Christmas  gift, 

'Twas  meant  for  all  the  world. 
So  let  us  hope  and  let  us  pray 

That  peace  will  come  once  more, 
When  men  shall  turn  to  watch  the  star, 

To  follow  and  adore. 


THE  NEW  YEAR 


The  Old  Year  has  fled, 

The  world  looks  ahead, 

Forgetting  the  things  gone   before; 

The  bells   pealing  clear 

Ring  in  the  New  Year, 

Which  silently  opens  the  door. 

In  shimmering  white, 

With  no  stain  to  blight, 

The  radiant  Morn  is  attired; 

We  bow  at  her  feet 

Feeling   how    incomplete 

Our  labors  in  days  now  expired. 

Old  ways  cast  aside, 

Resolved  to  abide 

By  the  truest  and  highest  ideal, 

We  take  up  our  work 

With  no  mind  to  shirk 

The  impulse  our  hearts  deeply  feel. 

Each  day  that  we  live 

Should  happiness  give, 

To  strengthen  and  comfort  through  life, 

The  less  fortunate  one 

Who  has  wearily  begun 

The  New  Year  in  turmoil  and  strife. 


.  JAM.  ZI,  19U8 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


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